Monday, September 27, 2010

This past Saturday was the Library of Congress's National Book Festival, one of my favorite events of the year. Normally I go there with a schedule, having mapped out who I want to see and what time they were speaking and signing their books.

This year, my main priority to hear speak was Laura Bush, who founded the first NBF in 2001, her first year in the White House. She was speaking at 10:35 (no signings), so I got to her tent about 45 minutes before that, knowing that it would be crowded. Prior to Mrs. Bush, Gordon S. Wood spoke, discussing his books about the American Revolution. He was actually quite interesting and I think I will look for his books.

Then Mrs. Bush came out and spoke about how proud she was of the NBF and what it means to her. This was the 10th anniversary of it, so she was pleased that it has continued. She recently came out with a memoir, so she read from it, about 9/11. The first NBF was just three days before 9/11, she told us. She was wonderful and I was pleased to hear her speak. I really do admire her quite a bit. She's a former teacher and librarian, as you may know.

After that, Steve and I wandered a bit. There were other authors there, of course, but nobody that I was dying to see. I knew that the Pioneer Woman was there, but she had spoken at the same time as Laura Bush, so I missed her. Her signing was later that day, so I had my cookbook with me, just in case. I figured her signing line would be insane though, so it wouldn't have been the end of the world if she didn't sign it.

One of the tents held the Pavilion of the States, where each state has a table and sets up a display of authors from that state and the like. I was wandering through and came to the Oklahoma table, and there she was!

I couldn't believe it. I smiled at her and said "oh my gosh, hi!" I'm pretty sure that the eight-year old boy standing there had no idea who she was :) I asked her if she'd mind if I had my picture taken with her, and she said of course not, so I handed my phone to Steve and walked around the table. Then, I said "would it be really horrible of me to ask you to sign my cookbook now?" She laughed and said "no, then you won't have to wait in the line later!"

So she asked my name and how I liked the cookbook. Of course, I told her that I love it and how I received it in a cookbook swap from Mrs. Potts, which she thought was really cool! We chatted for a few minutes, she wrote me a love note and off I went a few minutes later.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Have you read the new book, True Prep, by Lisa Birnbach, the author of The Official Preppy Handbook? Just saw this and thought it was cute.

I've been to a few of these, though not all. Guess I should try to hit them all?

Funny, my father is a big fan of The Tombs (a bar in Georgetown). Also, Steve is intrigued by Smith Point. Neither of us have been, but he wants to go. I keep telling him that he will hate it...he's not the preppy type :)

Monday, September 13, 2010

How adorable and lovely is this dress, called the bouquet toss dress, from Anthropologie (of course!)?

I am in love. Serious love.

I left work early on Friday and popped over to Georgetown for some birthday gift shopping, and found myself in Anthro (shocker!) and saw this dress. Yes, I was shopping for Steve's birthday (not at anthro...maybe taking a break in there!) and saw this dress and of course, texted him a photo of it, saying how much I need it. Ha!

Friday, September 10, 2010

This is a post that I wrote in September, but for some reason, it didn't get published. I just noticed it, and thought I'd post it now.

Over the weekend, I had three of my favorite girls in town for a visit. It was wonderful, in many, many ways. We studied together in Krakow, Poland and shared some really amazing experiences. One of the girls is in Boston, one in Philly and the third recently married a Scottish guy, had a baby and is living in Glasgow! Our lives are very different from the simple carefree days we shared, but we are forever linked by our memories of that incredible time.

We spent the weekend laughing and eating, for the most part. We had plans to visit some VA wineries, but ended up just hanging around the city and it was perfect. We talked about everything under the sun, looking at photos of Krakow and just laughed laughed laughed.

One of the girls told us about a wedding she attended in San Diego recently, for a college friend of hers. The friend is our age (30-31) and had seven bridesmaids. My friend seemed to think that this was a bit much. She said something like "now that we are in our thirties, it just seems silly to have that many bridesmaids."

Do you think this is true? If you are married, how many bridesmaids did you have? If you aren't yet married, how many do you think you might have? How many bridesmaids is too many, and does your age make a difference?

Thursday, September 2, 2010

As I mentioned yesterday, I was recently selected to host a World Vision House Party that is supposed to be at the end of the month. While I am thrilled to have been chosen, I am feeling slightly conflicted about it. I feel a bit awkward asking people to sponsor a child.

I know that some people don't like attending parties that ask you to buy something, like Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, Tupperware, etc, and when you go to those, it is just a one time purchase. This is a monthly commitment that can go on for several years (I've had my Majlinda three years last month!) I certainly don't want to nose into anyone's financial situation, but I know that times are a bit tough for people right now.

As I've said though, this is a cause that I feel so strongly about, and I've really been so thankful to have it in my life, and it has become a big part of me. It's something that I want to continue with for as long as I can, and have my family and children involved (Steve already sponsors one little boy called Redion, also in Albania!). One day, I'd like to be able to visit my babies.

This party situation is unique in that you can host it in almost any way you wish. They give you suggestions, of course, but from there, it seems it is up to you. I will be receiving a box full of "favors," including tote bags, aprons and spatulas, and of course, information about sponsorship and children in need. They suggest making foods from those areas of the world and they send recipes and whatnot.

My question- what would you think if you were invited to a party like this? Would you feel obligated to sponsor a child? Would you just come to the party and eat the delicious food? Do you think that a party such as this is a bit odd?

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

In case you missed the memo, today is September 1! I am so pleased and hope the next few months will be better than the last few. It may not have been apparent from my posts, but I've been in a bit of a funk this summer. Maybe I should write more about it, but right now, I don't want to go too into it, just hope that my mood will improve as the weather cools down.

September also means that new shows begin again! I'll be watching How I Met Your Mother, Law and Order: SVU, Survivor and Amazing Race for sure. Those are my top favorites, I think. What are your favorites?

Also, my giveaway ended yesterday and the big winner of the lovely Penelope apron is MANDY!!! If you don't read her blog, you really should. She's quite hilarious with the talers of her daughter, Vivian, the diva! Go say hi to Mandy!

Mandy, please send me your address so that I can get your Penelope in the mail!

Thank you all who entered. Consider hosting a Scarlet Threads giveaway of your own sometime (maybe for the holidays!), and check back, as it is highly likely that I will host another apron giveaway in the next few months. I'll also be hosting an apron party, I think, and let me know if you are interested in doing the same, as I will then put you in touch with the ladies behind Scarlet Threads and they will help you set it up!

In other exciting news, I was selected to host a World Vision House Party next month!

A House Party™ is thousands of parties across the country, hosted by people like you. Each event is sponsored by a leading brand and focuses on something cool that the sponsor wants its best fans to experience firsthand and share with their friends.I think you know how much I love World Vision and my Albanian and South African babies, so I am really excited about this opportunity. Basically, I will have people over and share my story of sponsorship. I'd love it if others signed up to sponsor a child too, but I will admit, that I feel a bit awkward asking people to do that. A good thing about World Vision sponsorship is that you can be as involved as you want. Aside from the $35 monthly donation, the rest is really up to you. I'm very involved with my girls, so I write letters and send packages at least once a month, but others don't write, they just send the donation, and that is fine too. It's up to the individual.

If you are interested in attending my World Vision party virtually (or if you are in DC and want to come) please let me know. I can certainly pass along the information if you'd like to sponsor a child. I know it sounds cliche, but it will change your life, and I love having my girls in my life!

the girl

I grew up in New England and now I live in Washington, DC where I work for the federal government. I've lived abroad in Luxembourg, Poland and Canada, and would like to live abroad again. I love to travel and fill my passport with stamps. I read a lot and want to build libraries where they don't have any. I have a lot of cookbooks and love using them. I have an adorable godson named Jackson. I also sponsor two little girls through World Vision; six-year old Majlinda in Albania and two-year old Boikokobetso in South Africa. I love cupcakes, poppies, chocolate chip pancakes, peonies, strawberries and deviled eggs. I collect tea towels, teapots, Boleslawiec Polish pottery, vintage sewing supplies, Peter Rabbit books/pieces and Russian babushka nesting dolls. My two favorite childrens books of all time are Miss Rumphius and The Velveteen Rabbit and I would like to write my own books someday. I'm learning to quilt and have become a bit obsessed with buying fabric! I also love red shoes and wear them frequently. Steve, my boyfriend, keeps me sane most days, except for the ones when he's the one making me crazy! All in all, life is good and keeps me on my toes.